Fred Hoiberg was officially introduced as the new head coach of the Chicago Bullson Tuesday afternoon.
Hoiberg’s arrival in Chicago isn’t a surprise. He has long been a favorite of the Bulls’ front office and has become a close friend of general manager Gar Forman over the last two decades.
Hoiberg, 42, spent four of his 10 years in the NBA playing in Chicago, and the feeling within the Bulls organization is that Hoiberg’s pro-style offense will pay immediate dividends.
When Forman and executive vice president John Paxson announced the firing of former coach Tom Thibodeau last week after five seasons, both Forman and Paxson discussed that the Bulls needed to find a better communicator for their players.
Hoiberg seems to fit that bill, and the Bulls are hopeful that his ability to get through to players, along with his offensive acumen, can help the organization get over the hump of beating LeBron Jamesin the playoffs. James-led teams have beaten the Bulls in four of the last six postseasons.
“In Fred, we feel that we’ve got a guy who has a terrific package of skills: a winning coach, a natural leader and a great communicator,” Forman said in a release. “He is a guy that has played in the league, has been an executive in the league and has had unparalleled success coaching at Iowa State — winning multiple Big 12 championships, consistently having nationally ranked teams and NCAA tournament teams. There is no question that we think he’s the right fit and that he will maximize the potential of this team.”
Hoiberg faces a different challenge than most first-year head coaches, given that the Bulls are built to win a championship right away and may have missed their best chance in this season’s playoffs after losing to James and a depleted Cleveland Cavaliers squad.
The pressure will be on Hoiberg’s shoulders early, and by proxy, those of Forman and Paxson, given the circumstances surrounding Thibodeau’s departure.
“I am very excited and thankful for the opportunity to coach the Chicago Bulls,” Hoiberg said in the release. “Everyone back in Ames knows what Iowa State means to me and my family. I am closing a special chapter in my life and beginning a new one here in Chicago. Being a head coach in the NBA has always been a goal of mine and to be able to do it at this time with the Bulls was the right fit for me. Having played in the league for 10 years, and then worked in a front office of an NBA team for four years, I am ready to begin this next phase of my career and help this team win an NBA championship.”